96 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 



jet black, interstices of segments whitish. The dorsum of each 

 segment bears two or three minute yellow dots, which do not 

 form a dorsal stripe. A fairly narrow latero-dorsal stripe may be 

 described as composed of a series of yellow spots almost united to 

 form a stripe. Just below the spiracles passes a similar stripe 

 composed of a row of yellow dots, but it is not so distinct as the 

 upper stripe. Below the sub-spiracular stripe the black surface is 

 sprinkled over with minute white dots, most numerous along the 

 lower edge of the yellow stripe. Legs black. Prologs black, feet 

 and claspers yellowish, head black." 



On August 29 this larva was very nearly full-fed, and presented a 

 very handsome appearance. A description made at the time reads 

 as follows : — 



" It is 30 mm. long and 5-5 mm. broad. Its colour is jet black, 

 the segmental interstices (except between head and prothorax) 

 broadly creamy white. The prothorax has anteriorly three bright 

 yellow spots, one medio-dorsal, the other two sub-dorsal ; the other 

 segments bear a few scattered medio-dorsal pale yellow spots, which 

 hardly make a line : a fairly broad latero-dorsal longitudinal line is 

 seen to be composed of numerous irregular pale yellow markings on 

 each segment behind the prothorax ; just below the spiracles runs a 

 similar pale yellow stripe, a little broader and less sharply defined 

 than the latero-dorsal one ; this sub-spiracular stripe is bordered 

 below by small white dots scattered irregularly over the whole 

 ventral surface, which is of a very dark glaucous green, almost 

 black. The margins of the anus are of a bright orange. Legs black ; 

 prologs greenish yellow, the upper exterior parts black. Head black, 

 with a narrow obsolescent creamy A-shaped mark across the face 

 and an obsolescent orange spot just above the jaws ; the head is 

 thickly studded with short, black, bristly hairs. There are a few 

 very short black hairs scattered over the body segments, but they 

 are so inconspicuous that their positions cannot be distinguished 

 even undef a strong lens, as they are only visible when viewed against 

 the hght. This larva is very voracious, and feeds indiscriminately 

 on the Drosera leaves, but seems to prefer the stems, eating buds, 

 seeds, stem, and all." 



On the afternoon of August 31 the larva excavated a chamber in 

 the earth beneath a small clump of Drosera , but it did not pupate 

 until the night of September 3/4. A slight but regular cocoon was 

 formed. The pupa seems very small in comparison with the bulk 

 of the larva; it is black, the abdominal segmental interstices 

 yellowish. 



The moth emerged about 7.30 a.m. on September 22 and proved 

 to be Prodenia synsticiis, Hmpsn. 



Although there is little doubt but that this particular larva of 

 P. synstictis was actually feeding on Drosera fettrmawmwhen found, 



